The Ultimate Guide to Introducing Your Dog and Cat: 7 Expert Tips for a Harmonious Coexistence

Estimated reading time: 6 mins

Bringing a new dog or cat into the family can be an exciting and rewarding experience. This experience can be a tad more complicated when there is already an existing dog or cat in the household. When this is the case, our goal with introductions is to be thoughtful in our approach in order to set everyone up for success. Hence, here are some do’s and don’ts when introducing a new dog or cat to your household.

Tip 1: Start by watching your current pet; their body language will guide you.

Put to use what you know about the body language of the furball who is already part of the family. What body signals does your pet display when they are calm, relaxed, or getting into a comfy cozy stance ready for a snooze? What is their body language when they are alerted to something? What about when they are nervous, concerned, or downright fearful of something?

Let’s say your furball is a dog. Their body signals for calm may include a loose body, ears hanging loosely, and soft eyes. Signs that they are alert may include ears pointed in direction of distraction or trigger, quick lip licks, and a stiffer body.

It’s helpful to know what I call your dog’s whispers. For example, seeing a wide yawn as a low-level stress signal vs. only being familiar with a louder, or more obvious signal of distress, like growling or lunging. It’s helpful to know the range of signals that your dog displays from the tiny whispers they make when they are totally chill and about to fall asleep, to their loud, outdoor voices that signal to everyone that they are not comfortable with the situation.

Tip 2: The more you know about body language, the better you can protect both pets.

Did I say learn body language? Yes, that was Tip #1, but it’s truly so important I’m putting it down also for Tip #2. Here are a couple of resources that I love to level up your skills:

Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat by Lili Chin
Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin

Why is this so important? In the game of Do’s and Don’ts When Introducing a New Dog or Cat to your Household, the better you are at observing and knowing your pet’s signals of communication, the more prepared you will be to put on the brakes to slow the introduction, or to notice that things seem to be moving along well and can proceed at a quicker pace. It’s kind of like being a referee at a sports event. Refs are the experts of the rules of the game… they know the do’s and don’ts! Here, the more you know about each species’ body language, your knowledge of the rules of their communication help you guide a smooth introduction.

Troyboi (dog) and Steven (cat) have impeccable synchronized sleeping form. Photo courtesy of Brittany Bilich, Think Like a Dog, Madisonville, LA.

Ripley the cat enjoys some back yard time while her much larger little sister Sansa is out for a potty trip behind a temporary gate. Photo courtesy of Paula Ashe.

Orphington the dog has been designated Friend of the Cat, and loves to help out with foster kittens. He and his bestie Thorin prefer full-contact snuggles. Photo courtesy of Jenna Swiertz Doubek, Silver Linings Companion Animal Services, Sheboygan, WI.

Tip 3: Give each pet their own safe space before they ever meet.

Prep separate safe spaces for each pet so they have their own home base to begin acclimating to their new reality. Here are some ideas for pets in general, and here are some specifically for cats!

The original furball may already have one or more safe spaces where they can go if noisy and/or scary guests come over, a spot where they may take a day time snooze and not worry about getting run over by the kids, or a sunny perch to be mellow and watch the world go by outside.

Brainstorm if it’s possible to maintain those spots for pet #1 while carving out a spot for new pet #2. This is space to eat, sleep, be merry, and for a cat, maintain their litter box. Remember dogs and cats tend to have different preferences and each animal is their own individual. Cats generally prefer elevated spaces which can be used to escape stressors or potential conflicts.

Initially, these spaces should be cordoned off so each pet cannot encroach on the other’s space until the “referee” says it’s time.

Tip 4: Take it slow, and let your pets set the pace.

Once you bring home your new furball, both pets will catch wind of each other’s presence in the house, but a scent exchange introduction is still a good place to start. Lightly rub a cloth on each pet and place it in the other’s area to sniff if they choose. You can provide a yummy treat to follow the introduction of the cloth to create a positive association. In other words, scented cloth appears, and then a delicious snack happens.

Pay attention to the body signals of the pet whose space you brought the cloth into, e.g. if the pet doesn’t choose to come near, or their body stiffens and they move away when you bring it in, you may want a slower introduction. Let them set the pace!

If the scent intro goes smoothly, then you can allow them to see each other at a distance. Let each pet be curious but not concerned. Use baby gates and/or a leash to prevent direct contact. You can give each pet something like a food puzzle or licky mat to work on in their space while seeing each other. Here they can each have a fun thing and there’s no competition for the resource.

Each of these intro steps should be short. Try to not push the envelope. By accurately reading the body signals of each pet, you can assess if they are comfortable enough to move to the next step: removing barriers. If one pet seems a little stressed, no worries, just drop back to a prior step and allow them the time to adjust to the presence of the other.

Remember each of your pets is an individual and you will likely just be getting acquainted with the new pet yourself. A slow introduction gives you time to get to know the new pet’s personality. For example, you may start to see that one pet is much more curious and or playful than the other pet, who might be a bit hesitant or questioning of new stuff. One may have more energy than the other. These insights will help you to modify the introduction. If there is a difference in the comfort level of the two pets, I’d keep the intro pace at the level that fits for the one with less comfort–err on the side of caution.

Tip 5: Change only one thing at a time (distance, time, or barriers).

It’s helpful to think of the elements that we are modifying as we manage exposure between the new pet and the old: 1) length of time (duration) near each other, 2) distance (or proximity) to the other, and 3) protective (and/or visual) barriers (gates or leashes).

We progress from introducing scent, to being able to see one another, to being in proximity with no or protected contact (behind a barrier), to being in supervised contact. Ease up on one of the elements at a time rather than changing multiple together.

This may look like initially increasing the time the pets can see each other from mere moments to slowly adding more time of exposure. Then you may ease back on exposure time in order to increase the proximity–they can be closer but for a shorter period of time.

Tip 6: Don't "just let them work it out" — here's why that backfires.

Don’t believe the old adage,” just let ‘em loose and they will work it out.” It’s great if this happens to work out…but why risk the chance that it won’t go smoothly? Especially when you are trying to set up a household situation where both pets live out their lives with each other and the humans harmoniously. In my experience, shortcuts (including being impatient) have a way of messing up this process.

Tip 7: If things feel unsafe or stuck, it's okay to ask for help.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, even if you’ve followed all do’s and don’ts when introducing a new dog or cat to your household, the introduction may prove to be challenging or even unsafe. If you’re struggling with the integration process, or if either pet is displaying concerning behaviors, it’s important to seek professional help. If either pet displays signs of fear or aggression, such as growling, hissing, or lunging, it’s important to intervene immediately. Separate them and look for a professional behavior consultant for guidance on how to address and manage these behaviors.

These do’s and don’ts are just a guideline. Remember, each pet is an individual and an introduction requires careful management, a thoughtful set up, and patience. Take it slow, be observant of their body language, and seek professional help if needed.

Here’s to interspecies harmony,

The Pet Harmony Team

Now What?

If you are thinking of adding a dog or cat to your household, now is a great time to brush up on the body language of each species to be able to recognize signs of calmness, arousal, fear, and play.

Start with your existing pet and list out the signals that they use to communicate when they are going into a relaxed and calm state. Similarly, list out the signals that are used when they are communicating slight concern, discomfort, or fear. If you find that either list is a little on the thin side or heavy on the “loud” communication signals and light on the “whispers” then take time observing your pet to grow your knowledge and awareness. I find that videos really help me grow my knowledge of an animal’s body language. You can watch a clip in slow motion and are able to hit repeat and watch it another time (and another, and another!).

If you find yourself unsure about the best way forward or want support, let’s chat about it! Book a discovery call here.

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